THE TIREE WAVE CLASSIC
in association with Corona Extra
Saturday 14 – Saturday 21 October 2006
http://www.tireewaveclassic.com

TIREE FIRST T15 WINSURFING EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS

Poor weather conditions for the pro windsurfing competition at the
Tiree Wave Classic in association with Corona Extra, meant that all
focus was turned to the kids T15 inter club competition being held on
Loch Bhasapoll today (Wednesday 18 October 2006).

The T15 competition was organised by the Tiree Windsurf Club, the
Wave Classic Community Management Group and the RYA and 30 sailors,
all aged 15 and under, took part. The fleet included 23 young
sailors from four mainland T15 clubs – East Kilbride Eagles, Clyde
Barracudas (Lochwinnoch), Loch Insh Monsters (Kingussie) and Monikie
Maniacs.

With a good breeze on the loch in the morning it was decided to hold
several races on a variety of courses. As the wind dropped Freestyle
coaching clinics with pro sailors were held in the afternoon. This
was followed by a team freestyle competition with sailors from the
Pro fleet from The Tiree Wave Classic joining the T15 teams. Tiree
Extremes were joined by John Hibbard, Clyde Barracudas by Ruth
Elliott (last year’s Triple Crown winner) and Darren Mitchell, East
Kilbride Eagles had Graham Woods on their team, the Monikie Maniacs
were joined by George Shillito and Chris Murray joined the Loch Insh
Monsters.

Prize giving will be held in the Scarinish Hotel this evening
following a celebratory dinner.

Robin Nicol, RYA T15 Coordinator for Scotland, said: ‘This was a
great event and it was fantastic to see the pro’s coaching the
enthusatic young sailors all afternoon. Our young Scottish sailors
will really benefit from the huge experience of the pros.’

The governing body of windsurfing, the RYA, have established youth
windsurfing clubs, T15 Clubs, across the UK. These clubs take part in
inter-club competitions that then feed into the zone squads and the
national squad. With 45 kids on the island (aged between 6 and 14)
learning to windsurf The Tiree Windsurf Club launched its own T15
section ­ The Tiree Extremes – and today’s competition during the
Tiree Wave Classic week was its first inter-club event. This event is
open to all visiting windsurfers

Will Wright from The Tiree Wave Classic Community Management Group,
said: ‘Today’s T15 event is an exciting development for The Tiree
Wave Classic week as it will really help to bring the event home to
Tiree by recruiting the local kids who are, after all, the pro
windsurfers of the future. The T15 competition was really borne out
of a huge demand and interest from our younger windsurfers and
mainland clubs. There has been loads of enthusiasm amongst
competitors and the T15 network leading up to today’s event. This
has proved to us just how popular windsurfing is on the island and
throughout the UK amongst the younger age groups.

‘We actually benefited hugely from the lack of wind that has affected
The Tiree Wave Classic competition as a number of sailors from the
pro fleet came down to lend their support and chat to the younger
sailors.

‘This year’s competitions will act as a pilot and judging by the
success of today’s competition it will become an annual event during
Tiree Wave Classic week. Hopefully word will spread encouraging more
sailors from T15 clubs from throughout the UK to take part next year.’